Rated among the top ten most beautiful archipelagos in the world by Skin Diving Magazine, US

The name of this world-renowned marine national park is derived from a Malay word - "Similan" meaning nine. This park extends over nine islands hence the origins of its name. The US publication - Skin Diving Magazine rates this national park as among the top ten most beautiful archipelagos in the world citing its many attractions both on land, and water.

The nine islands lie in a north-south direction from the islands of Koh Bon, Koh Ba Ngu, Koh Similan, Koh Payu, Koh Ha, Koh Miang, Koh Payan, Koh Payang to Koh Hu Yong, and the untouched island of Koh Ta Chai nearby.

Sites to the west of the islands are open to the sea while hard coral is characteristic of the sites on the east. Multicoloured and unspoiled corals cover the seabed, including the brilliant soft corals, immense sea fans, dazzling sea pansies and huge sponges.

Irregular rocky outcrops tower over the powdery beaches.

The best time for travel to the area is from the end of December to the middle of April. Monsoon-free March is best for clear waters and good underwater visibility.

HOW TO GET THERE :

Private boats operate throughout the tourist season. From Thap Lamu, the nearest pier, 40 kms. from the island. The trip takes approximately 3 hours.

For an engaging view of the marine landscape, the 70 kms. from Ao Chalong Pier in Phuket takes 6-7 hours.

ACCOMMODATION

Large bungalows house up to 20 persons at a charge of 2,000 Baht per night. Tent rental is 100 Baht per night. If you have your own camping gear, the rate is 10 Baht per night.

Facilities on Koh Miang include a visitor and information centre, a restaurant, toilets and showers, and telephone. A longtail boat service is available.

Contact The Royal Forestry Department, Bangkok
Phone : (66 2) 561 2918 - 21 or

Similan National Park
(66 76) 411 913 -4 (mainland)

source reference : Tourism Authority of Thailand
source Photo :
alpine diver
manta_dance

is the most beautiful island in the Trang. It has an area of 600 acres. Most of the island (5/6) is under the responsibility of Hat Chao Mai National Park. The rest are privately owned rubber and coconut plantations. The island offers good restaurants and accommodation for tourists. The most striking feature of Koh Kradan is its powdery white beach and crystal-clear water that permits a great view of the coral reef underneath that stretches from the beach’s northern end to the coast. A variety of colourful fish inhabit the shallow water corals. Koh Kradan is to the west of Koh Muk and Koh Libong. Visitors can take a boat from Park Meng Pier to Koh Kradan. The trip takes 1.30 hours.

Kradan is widely thought of as one of the area's most beautiful beaches and sports an abundance of coral.

The island is noted also for its wonderful sandy beaches. Kradan lies within the boundaries of Hat Chao Mai National Park; about 20 percent of the land is covered with privately owned rubber and coconut plantations. Kradan Island is famous for its fine powdery sand and wide beaches as well as crystal-clear water.

The Eastern side of Kradan features Yang Long Beach, while the western side is rich with coral reefs teeming with fish of different species and shades. Nature lovers will find the pristine beauty of the island to their liking and skin divers will find the coral reefs a wonderful place to explore the beauty of the underwater world.

Source Photo :
airband2005
leket
isobelseed

From October through to December, there's no doubt Samui has got surf . The Koh Samui surfing scene is alive with dedicated local surfers and tourists, all out there to grab the most fun out of 3-4 foot beach breaks.

Chaweng beach is definitely the most popular surfing beach in Koh Samui.

There are surfboards and bodyboards for rent along the beach and many of the local surfers are happy to give you tips on surfing if you are a first timer.

The 'Left Alone' reef break off Chaweng beach is rarely ridden. The 'Left Alone' gives a long surfable left hander and is best surfed at mid to high tide, when the waves are over 4 feet. At low tide it can become too shallow for surfing.

In front of the Le Meridien Baan Taling Naam Resort is a reef break suitable for experienced surfers only.

It breaks on a shallow coral reef and as reports go can get quite fast and sucky.

is a stalagmite/stalactite cave in To Nae Mountain near Ban Chao Mai. It can be reached by boat from Yao Beach onto Khlong Caho Mai for about 15 minutes. A small rowboat can go through the cave to a verdant mangrove forest where the cave is nearby. Visitions have to walk up to the cave to fully appreciate its beauty.

A not-to-be-missed attraction would be Tham Morakot (Emerald Cave), which is indeed a beautiful limestone tunnel that can be entered by boat during low tide. Moreover, it is named Emerald Cave for a reason; the tunnel stretches 80m before finally emerging into an open pool of emerald hue! It is truly an awesome sight. The southern end of the island presents the beautiful Ao Phangkha and the fishing village of Hua Laem.

The most beautiful island in Hat Jao Mai National Park is Koh Kradan. Only five out of six precincts belong to the park, while the other is used for coconut and rubber plantations.


The water on both islands is so clear that the sea bottom can even be seen from the surface. This encourages the growth of corals and healthy reefs along the northern side of the islands. The water is also shallow enough for snorkeling. Although there are fewer white-sand beaches on Koh Kradan than on Koh Muk, the coral reef on the side facing Koh Muk make up for good diving. Koh Cheuak and Koh Waen are small islands between Koh Muk, Koh Kradan and the Trang coast. Like the Emerald Cave, Koh Cheuak also has a small cave that can be entered by boats at low tide.

this picture is from : Ianz

RESILIENT KHAO LAK - Back In Full Swing

Rounding the last of the hilly curves before the decent into the town of Khao Lak, pause for a moment at the hilltop walkway overlooking the Andaman Sea. The amazing story of Khao Lak unfolds. It is hard to imagine all that has happened here in the past few years — not the same disaster tale that brought this area to international media attention, for that is only the story's beginning. The rest of the story is a triumphant, indeed heroic, tale of a community that has demonstrated resilience, strength and self-determination. There is a peacefulness, and an understanding of life here that has deepened and been made more sweet by the work of a local community healing, and by the flood of compassion and international volunteers.

The town has been a beehive of activity. Alongside the efforts of big name relief outfits, local grassroots organizations popped up and began helping in creative and effective ways. One example is a humanitarian organization called the Ecotourism Training Center (ETC). The ETC mission has been to help young local people in Khao Lak gain new job skills in environmentally based tourism, while teaching the importance of protecting the natural environment. It has become the subject of an astonishing array of international and local media, coming to the attention of some 500 million people worldwide.

The young Thai students of the ETC have embarked on a remarkable journey to help resurrect the larger community. Far from being an isolated group, they have interfaced with other local people, relief organizations, businesses, international volunteer groups and local schools to help stimulate a rapid recovery.

RESILIENT KHAO LAK Back In Full Swing
Please click to view full story

The jovial atmosphere of the evacuation drill at Soi Bangla, televised nationally, was in stark contrast to other parts of the island, where the sirens sounded but people acted with indifference.

PHUKET: Andaman Wave 007, the first regional testing of the 79 National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) tsunami warning towers along the Andaman Coast, was conducted at 9:45 this morning, with mixed results in Phuket.

While impressive mock evacuation and emergency response drills were being staged for the media on the beach at the foot of Soi Bangla in Patong, residents in other parts of the island complained that the sirens and recorded voice warnings were too quiet, with some warnings not making any noise at all.

The evacuation at Soi Bangla was reminiscent of the April 2005 evacuation, with helicopters staging offshore maneuvers, rescue workers assisting the elderly, and volunteers pretending to have various handicaps and injuries.

In Kalim, less than two kilometers to the north, the only signs of activity were at Baan Kalim School, where 300 students ran to the third floor of the school from the courtyard in under a minute. Other residents in the area disregarded the siren.

Along most of Patong Beach and Kalim, people said they could hear the siren but could not make out voice-recorded warnings aired in different languages.

People more than a few hundred meters back from the beach said they heard nothing at all, as the sounds were completely drowned out by the noise of passing traffic, strong offshore winds and construction projects.

A group of lifeguards stationed at the beach in front of the Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa said they had heard no warning sounds.

“One thing is certain: if the siren sounds at night there is no way anyone will be able to hear it along Soi Bangla,”
said a woman selling tours from a roadside kiosk.

Speaking from NDWC headquarters in Nonthaburi, NDWC Director Dr Smith Dharmasaroja said he was satisfied with the performance of the 79 towers, but was displeased by the failure of local authorities in many areas to carry out evacuation drills.

source reference : Phuketgazette Click to read more.

PHUKET: All residents of coastal areas should be reminded that the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) tomorrow morning will conduct the first full-scale regional testing of its 79 tsunami warning sirens along the Andaman Coast, including 19 towers in Phuket.

Evacuation drills in tsunami-risk areas will be conducted by local administrative bodies working together with district offices and members of the local office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket).

All people living in risk areas are encouraged to take part in the drills and proceed along the designated evacuation routes when the sirens sound about 9:15 am.

Phuket, Thailand
15:17 local time (GMT +7)

source reference : Phuketgazette Click to read more.

Somtam Express in full cry on their way to victory in this year’s Phuket Raceweek. Photo by Leslie Hand for Image Asia Events.

AO CHALONG: After four days of racing in and around Chalong Bay, Scott Duncanson’s Somtam Express has won the IRC 1 class in this year’s Phuket Raceweek regatta.

Shifting winds played havoc with the start of the final race in the regatta yesterday and the fleet waited four hours for it to swing around to allow the race to start.

Once underway, the yachts set sail around Koh Bon, Koh Lone and Koh Hei with the finish line in front of the Evason Phuket Resort, which has been host to the regatta.

Somtam Express yesterday recorded yet another first-place finish to bring their tally to four firsts and one second place to score a tally of just six points.

Although impressive, it was not Somtam’s best performance – at last year’s Phuket Raceweek Somtam Express won every race in the Sports Boat Racing class.


source reference : Phuketgazette Click to read more.

OAR INSPIRING: Marco Reinard smiles as locals congratulate him on completing his 200-kilometer paddle around Phuket.

“On Wednesday evening, the waves were dangerously high and with no light from the shore it was so dark that I couldn’t see the waves coming. I really didn’t know where I was, so I decided to stop for the night,” said Marco.

PHUKET: Luxembourg national and island resident Marco Reinard arrived at Rawai Pier just after 5 pm Thursday evening, tired, sunburned and triumphant after completing a solo 200-kilometer paddle around Phuket in an 18-foot kayak.

Marco clocked an average speed of 10 kilometers an hour during his 36-hour circuit of the island, which he completed to raise awareness of environmental issues and the impact of encroaching development on indigenous people.

source reference : Phuketgazette Click to see more.

Anemone Reef Basics: anemone-covered pinnacle
Depth: 6 - 25m
Visibility: 5 - 20m
Currents: Moderate
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: All year round
Distance: ~26 km east of Phuket (1¾ hours), 19 km west of Phi Phi (2 hours), 40 km southwest of Krabi (3 hours)
Access: Liveaboards and day tours from Phuket, Phi Phi Islands or Krabi

Hin Jom, meaning submerged rock, derives its English name from the profusion of lime green and sky blue magnificent anemone's that cover this pinnacle. Anemonefish and clownfish use the anemone's for protection and provide this Phuket dive site with all the colours you could wish for.

This unique dive-site is a huge lime-stone pinnacle that soars 30 meters up from the ocean floor to sit 4 meters beneath the surface where it abruptly ends and drops back to a sandy bottom.

The barely submerged reef is a well-known shipping hazard (see King Cruiser Wreck) and is located less than a mile north of Shark Point. The Thai name for this site is Hin Jom which means underwater rock and although not as colorful as Shark Point, the site is famous for its vast fields of sea anemones that cling to every conceivable surface and swing and sway with the current.

The profusion of sea anemones and the nutrient-rich water are a magnet to a constant parade of reef fish seeking food and shelter. Enormous schools of tropicals, snappers, groupers and colorful clown fish, along with larger game-fish like tuna and barracuda as well as the occasional leopard shark can be seen here.

At the end of the dive pay close attention in and around the anemones. You can find tomato, skunk, pink and Clark's anemonefish, to name but a few. And yes, the now famous western clownfish is everywhere, so you will find Nemo! Anemonefish are not the anemone's only residents though.

Porcelain crabs can be seen on the outer edges of carpet anemones, shrimps hide in the middle of the anemones and damselfish such as the three spot dascyllus are ever present. The top of the rock at six metres is an ideal spot to finish off that roll of film; in fact many photographers choose to spend their whole dive here as the shallow depth provides great lighting conditions.

: Source Reference

Source Photo : dachalan

Star Clippers is offering a special 13-night cruise tour between Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand, during the 2007-08 Far East season. The package combines a seven-night Southern Route or Northern Route round-trip Phuket cruise with a four-night pre-cruise tour of Bangkok and a two-night post-cruise tour of Phuket. The “Senses of Siam” cruise tour is offered on eight departure dates from November 2007 through February 2008.

The cruise tour enables guests to explore the mysteries and marvels of Asia aboard Star Clipper, a 170-passenger authentic tall ship that feels more like a mega-yacht. Guests will have time to immerse themselves in Thai culture, taste exotic delicacies, take advantage of many spectacular diving opportunities and discover the amazing pagodas and temples throughout the country.

“Cities like Bangkok and Phuket are best explored with some
extra time, and the cruise tours provide our guests with a total vacation
package,”

said Jack Chatham, vice president of sales and marketing for Star Clippers.

“We’re always looking for new ways to showcase the region by combining
the best land and sea opportunities.”

The cruise tour from Bangkok to Phuket begins with a four-night “Vibrant City” tour in Bangkok that gives passengers the opportunity to explore this exciting metropolis of more than 10 million inhabitants. The tour includes a stay at the five-star Montien Hotel, a half-day city tour with a visit to the Grand Palace, a cultural dinner show, transfers and the short flight between Bangkok and Phuket at the end of the tour to meet the ship. Optional add-on tours are available, and there will be time to shop independently and explore the many splendors of Bangkok.

source reference : andamantimes.com click for Read more.

Koh Bida

+ Limestone Islands
+ Hard & Soft Corals, Seafans
+ Tropicals, Octopus, Leopard Sharks
+ Moderate Currents
+ Site Depth: 0 - 30 meters
+ Site Visability: 10 - 25 meters
+ All Levels of Diver, Good for Beginners
+ Two large outcrops directly South of Phi Phi Ley

The Phi Phi Islands are an incredibly scenic diving destination. The topography from the surface is absolutely stunning; monolithic limestone mountains rising vertically from the sea and soaring to heights of more than 500 meters.

Underwater you'll find an amazing environment of rugged caves, overhangs and swim-throughs in the soft rock. Other dives include sheer walls that plunge from the surface to over 25 meters. These walls contain a profusion of soft corals, large orange-colored fans, black corals, and long stringy sea whips.

The Phi-Phi Islands offer a remarkable variety of dive sites within the island group.

Two of the most popular sites are located around two islands of Bida Nai and Bida Nok at the Southern tip of Phi Phi Le where you'll find huge gardens of Staghorn and Star corals and incredible numbers of colorful reef fish.

source reference : Provided by Tourism Authority of Thailand

source Photo :
divemaster2006
Jared Kelly
josephvino

(thank you for your comment I'm so sorry about the picture is wrong place, plz for give me.)

CHALONG: Plans for the second phase of construction of the Chalong Marina Project may be revised by the Marine Department’s Technical and Planning division after a bitter dispute with local residents and workers.

The first phase of construction of the controversial marina, which involves building 44 of the originally-planned 210 yacht slips, will be completed by September 30 at a cost of 70 million baht, said Kitipong Waksukri from the Marine Department.

Three different construction plans for Phase 2 were proposed at a public hearing at Muang Phuket School on June 5.

The 130 people who attended reacted coldly to the five-hour explanations of the plans, delivered by consulting engineers, with great choruses of approval erupting whenever someone attacked the proposals.

Concerns raised about the marina were that it will damage the environment, will not be able to accommodate large yachts and will not benefit small operators.

Phase 1 involves dredging a boat basin and the installation of navigation markers, freshwater tanks, plumbing, electricity, a fueling and water station, and a maintenance building.

With a budget of 300 million baht, Phase 2 was to include the construction of a building on the pier to house administration, immigration and customs services, an additional 166 yacht slips and two breakwaters that were to be made with large boulders.

At a meeting of Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) members, representatives from the Marine Department and members of the public, K. Kitipong said that Phase 2 might be altered after the Marine Department, Golden Plan Co Ltd, Spectrum Co Ltd and STS Engineering Consultant Co Ltd presented the new designs to a management team from OrBorJor.

Possible revisions include the use of a floating breakwater after concerns were raised in the June 5 meeting about the effect a solid breakwater would have on soil erosion and silt build-up in Chalong Bay, said K. Kitipong.

The number of yacht slips has been proposed to be reduced to 100 and the wharfing could be moved south of the old quayside bridge at Chalong Bay to avoid disruption to boat traffic.

source reference : Phuketgazette Click to see more.

PHUKET CITY: The National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC), together with provincial and local authorities, will conduct the first full-scale test of its 79-tower tsunami warning system in the six Andaman Coast provinces on the morning of July 25.

The exercise has been dubbed “Andaman Wave 007” by the agency.

To prepare for the test, which will include evacuation drills in all 19 tsunami-risk areas of Phuket, Phuket Vice-Governor Tri Augkaradacha chaired a meeting at the Phuket Provincial Health Office on July 11.

The evacuation drills will be organized by district offices, with the exception of Patong, where the municipality will be responsible.

The alarms will sound at 9:30 am and will be followed by the evacuation drills. The areas, along with Patong, include:

Muang district: Ao Yon, Kata, Karon, Kata Noi, Nai Harn, Rawai, Koh Lone, Koh Racha, and Ao Chalong.

Thalang district: Nai Yang, Bang Tao and Lay Phang, Mai Khao, Ao Por. Kathu district: Kamala Beach.

The testing will include siren sounds as well as voice messages in Thai and English triggered by officials at the NDWC headquarters in Nonthaburi.

source reference : Phuketgazette Click to see more.

The Thai people are very friendly and courteous, there is none of the harassment holiday makers often seem to encounter in some other countries.

Basic facilities such as places to buy fruit, vegetables, fuel and water are found in many places. Also cheap beach restaurants, nevertheless serving mouthwatering dishes can be found on many of the islands.

Phuket, the only developed island on the coast has excellent nightlife, shops, markets, restaurants and, if you like, marina facilities.

Thailand's cruising grounds cater to all tastes

To the SW of our base Phuket you find open water with a few dotted islands such as Ko Racha and Ko Rok Nok. In the SW monsoon sailing can be quite exhilarating here, In the NE monsoon there is usually a steady moderate breeze.

To the South of Phuket there is a 100 nautical miles string of inshore islands, stretching from Ko Phi Phi to the Malaysian border. They offer tranquility and many opportunities for exploring. Highlights are Ko Muk with a fabulous inland lagoon, Ko Petra with spectacular limestone formations and Ko Tarutao, a former pirate’s nest boasting a large formation of caves.

East and S.East of Phuket Island, the fabulous Phang Nga Bay, Krabi and PhiPhi, together form an area of about 500 square miles. It has sheltered sailing in all seasons. The entire area is dotted with grotesque lime stone formations, honeycombed with caves and fringed by mangrove forests. Three major rivers plus a couple of smaller ones flow in the Phang Nga Bay.

This is very much catamaran country: one could cruise here for many months exploring the creeks, going up the rivers and visiting monasteries in caves. A typical feature are the hongs, high limestone islands which have collapsed in the middle leaving a landlocked lagoon. Several of these lagoons are accessible by dinghy at low tide via a cave. Further attractions are Rai Leh Beach, said to be one of the most beautiful in the world and the well known Phi Phi Islands offering gorgeous surroundings as well as great nightlife.

North and North West of Phuket one finds the off shore Similan- and Surin Islands, the latter close to the Burmese border. They offer the best diving and snorkeling in Thailand.

source reference : Phuket-Sailing click for look Prices and Booking Information

A surge in the development of marina facilities and in the number of yachts available for charter mean that Thailand is set to burst upon the international scene as the world's newest yachting playground.

UNIMAGINABLE COASTLINE & BEACHES

Over 1,000 miles of coastline bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand; literally thousands of islands, countless beaches with pristine white sand, crystal waters and superb coral reefs, hidden creeks and headlands meeting the sea and mystical sea mountains. All these combine with a tropical climate to create the world's most stunning cruising waters. Welcome to Thailand ...The Thailand that independent cruising yachtsmen tell tales about on their travels... The Thailand that many have never left.

SAFE TROPICAL CLIMATE

Thailand is situated in the tropics and away from the hazardous weather zone. The country has no typhoons and even seasonal monsoons are gentle. Temperatures range from 25°C - 35°C for most of the year, and the sea rarely varies from a balmy 28°C. This means comfortable, exotic cruising all year round.

A THOUSAND PLACES TO SEE

The world-famous 'Pearl of the Andaman' - Phuket, astounds with its mysterious limestone karsts, mangrove swamps, creeks, islets and perfect beaches of Phang-nga Bay, Krabi, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta. Similarly, the almost unknown and unspoiled islands off Thailand's west coast, heading towards the Myanmar border, enthral with the extraordinary Similan Islands northwest of Phuket and south to the Malaysian border.

From the favourite holiday islands Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan in the Western Gulf of Thailand across to the mountainous and heavily forested Ko Chang and Kut Archipelagos in the Eastern Gulf, the sheer number of destinations awaiting you within Thailand's borders is outdone only by the unbelievable variety.

source reference : www.boat-thai.com
source Photo :
TXDZ
openbox
Dave Bezaire & Susi Havens-Bezaire
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